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This year’s 22nd World Championship Punkin Chunkin event was a huge success, despite Noel’s brush against Bridgeville Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3, at the Wheatley farm. Although there were some gusty winds and a sprinkle early Saturday morning, an estimated 60,000 to 65,000 people attended the chunk to see more than 100 competitors vie for this year’s title.
The champion this year was The Big 10 Inch, which competed in the Adult Air category. Captained by Pete Hill and Ralph Eschborn of Chadds Ford, Pa., the contraption hurled the winning gourd 4,211.27 feet.
Approximately 200 volunteers gave their time for the charity event that will provide funds for organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the Lower Delaware Autism Foundation, the Punkin Chunkin scholarship program and numerous other local nonprofits.
Because the event was in its first year at the new site near Bridgeville, some of Saturday’s visitors experienced a delay getting to the grounds. “Many lessons were learned on this brand-new field, but we will address them accordingly,” said Frank Shade, Punkin Chunkin Association president. “Overall, visitors and volunteers alike said it was an exceptional event.”
2007 World Championship Punkin Chunkin Results:
Champion: Adult Air, 4,211.27 feet, The Big 10 Inch, Capt. Pete Hill and Capt. Ralph Eschborn, Chadds Ford, Pa.
Top-three finishers listed by category, captain’s name, machine’s hometown and distance in feet:
Adult Air
1. The Big 10 Inch, Pete Hill and Ralph Eschborn, Chadds Ford, Pa., 4,211.27
2. Young Glory III, Jack Burton, Milton, 3,579.62
3. Second Amendment, Bruce Bradford, Howell, Mich., 3,552.72
Female Air
1. Let’O Bounce, Connie Sisson, Milton, 2,932.36
2. Dragon Lady, Gina McConnell, Preston, Md., 2,879.48
3. Bad Hair Day, Stephanie Colbourne, Milton, 2,551.80
Adult Centrifugal
1. Bad to the Bone, Donny Jefferson, Milton, 1,852.88
2. United Flingdon II, Jeffrey Wheately, Bridgeville, 1,269.16
3. De-Terminator, Larry McLaughlin, Lewes, 963.17
Adult Catapult
1. Fibonacci Unlimited 2, Dana Drew, Weymouth, Mass., 2,353.62
2. Hyper Tension, John Huber, Prince Frederick, Md., 1,765.35
3. Sir Chunks-A-Lot, Andrew Alexander, Berlin, N.J., 1,727.54
Adult Trebuchet
1. Yankee Seige, Steven Seigars, Greenfield, N.H., 1,658.55
2. Magic of Merlin, Chris Gerow, Leesburg, Va., 828.67
3. Pumpkin Hammer, Rich Foley, Newark, 754.53
Adult Torsion
1. Chucky II, Dan Collins, Washington Township, N.J., 2,152.98
2. Roman Revenge II, Kim J. Moore, Gastonia, N.C., 2,017.22
3. Onager, Bob Carbo, Clayton, N.C., 1,645.22
Adult Human Powered
1. Gene’s Machine, James Durnan, Wilmington, 1,816.29
2. Mischief Knight, Chip Hersey and Perry Stone, Arlington, Mass., 1,596.54
3. Pumpkin Slayer, Marc Banka, Durham, N.C., 1,370.92
Youth Air
1. Snot Rocket, Connor Toomey, Federalsburg, Md., 3,215.84
2. Ozone Blaster, Michael Nelson, Georgetown, 3,028.75
3. Little Blasters, Brice Short, Ellendale, 2,630.97
11-17 Catapult
1. Little Feats, Tyler Parkinson, Stevensville, Md., 967.72
2. Tremors, Perry T. Summers Jr., Harbeson, 752.52
3. Punkin Pitcher, Jesse Taylor, Wilmington, 730.86
11-17 Trebuchet
1. Troop Six Shooter, Connor Biggs, Brick, N.J., 584.94
2. Got Her Did, Jeff Albright, Crozet, Va., 544.26
3. Punkin Pulverizer, Dustin Shahan, Allen, Md., 514.16 |
